DeKALB – Northern Illinois University is poised to launch a national search for a new campus police chief.

NIU officials announced Tuesday they are looking for a new department head, with interviews starting in late July.

Bill Nicklas, vice president of public safety said the department plans to have someone in place by the fall semester, giving them about 90 days to find a new chief. The new leader will need a few specialties, Nicklas said.

"The chief has to be a teacher, a leader and an expert in campus law enforcement," he said.

The search comes months after the university's former police chief, Donald Grady, was fired in February for his department's mismanagement of the rape charges of former officer Andrew Rifkin.

Nicklas said the profile of the position will be reviewed with a search committee, but they are looking for someone who can fulfill the unique mission of the university's police department.

"[The new chief] should be a cop's cop, who is steep in diplomacy and prepared at any time to work with colleagues in other departments on campus," he said.